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Vanessa Bryant - English
When the UConn women’s basketball team clinched the 2025 national championship with a commanding win over Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks, it was more than just another title for the legendary program. For Vanessa Bryant, it was a deeply personal moment, one that brought memories of her daughter Gianna “Gigi” Bryant rushing back to the spotlight.
Shortly after the win, Vanessa shared a heartfelt message on social media in honor of Gigi, who had long dreamed of wearing a Huskies jersey. “Gigi would’ve loved being with you,” Vanessa wrote, alongside a powerful quote from her daughter: “When you think you can’t, UConn!” The message resonated far beyond the box score, it was a tribute to a future that was taken far too soon.
Vanessa Bryant fulfills one of Kobe Bryant’s lifelong dreams
Gigi Bryant: forever a Husky
Gigi’s connection to UConn wasn’t just casual admiration. According to Kobe Bryant, she was “hellbent on UConn,” idolizing the program’s culture, success, and head coach Geno Auriemma. UConn knew the feeling was mutual. In the wake of the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of Gigi and Kobe in 2020, the program honored her with a jersey and flowers at center court. They’ve since referred to her as “forever a Husky” across their social platforms.
Though she never got the chance to step onto the court in a UConn uniform, Gigi’s spirit remains woven into the fabric of the team. Her dream continues to live on through tributes like Vanessa’s, and through every young girl who picks up a basketball inspired by her legacy.
A championship that meant more than trophies
UConn’s victory, led by standout star Paige Bueckers, was a statement of dominance. But for many fans, and for the Bryant family especially, it also felt like a spiritual win for Gigi. Coach Auriemma and his team didn’t just reclaim a national title, they unknowingly helped heal a piece of the heart of a family that’s been through unimaginable loss.
As Bueckers now looks ahead to a promising WNBA career, the Huskies continue to represent more than basketball excellence. They carry a legacy. And for Vanessa Bryant, that legacy includes the everlasting dream of a daughter who always saw herself in blue and white.
This news was originally published on this post .
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